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“Plus, Alicia has the fastest fingers in New York” Reid laughs “I doubt you couldskills”

“I’m sure I couldn’t, since I haven’t touched a keyboard in ten years”

“Hoould you feel about supervising?”

“I…don’t know I’ve been…supervised for the last ten years”

“Katelyn”—Reid’s countenance gets very serious—“the last ten years don’t matter here Okay? You need to believe that They are not your fault, and they have no bearing on your qualifications for this job”

“I’ that I don’t have the first clue how to be anyone’s assistant Let alone executive assistant to the COO of a major enterprise I would love to work here Truly But let me start at the bottom and prove myself first”

Alice smiles “I have to say, Katelyn, I already like you a lot”

“If that’s what you prefer,” Reid says, “but Zee really wants you working here in the office with me She feels you’re a perfect candidate, and I think she ht”

“With all due respect, why?”

“Because you’re an intelligent young wo, and you learn quickly You’re dependable You completed every task asked of you at the retreat center without complaint”

“Didn’t everyone?”

Reid lets out a chuckle “No Everyone did not Soht it every step of the way That’s not their fault They just hadpast what happened to them, which is certainly understandable But you… You were different You, Lily, Aspen, and Kelly are the only women so far who have left the retreat center”

“Why not ask one of them to take this position?”

“Because Zee asked me to consider you first”

“So because I’m friends with your wife…”

“Yup” He smiles “A little nepotisree with Zee on this, and Alicia and I have spoken about it as well”

“We have,” Alicia says “I believe you can do this job, Ms Brooks”

“Katelyn, please”

Alicia smiles “Of course Katelyn”

“Let’s do this,” Reid says “Let’s put you to work on a trial basis for teeks If you feel you can’t handle the responsibilities of the position, you can walk away after teeks At the sao after teeks Does that sound fair?”

I sill ht I hope I’m worthy of your confidence in me”

“I think you are,” he says, “but if you’re not, I’ll tell you I’ if not honest Of course, I’ll then have to deal with a new mother at home” He smiles

“I really don’t want—”

He holds up his hand “I’, Katelyn Zee wants me to have the best help possible She thinks that’s you It may well be, but it ht?”